Ruling Party, Gov't to Enact Special Law by Year-End to Legalize Illegally Converted Farmland

▲ Rep. Yoon Jun-byeong, policy coordination committee chair of the Democratic Party of Korea on the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee (third from left), speaks on September 21 at a party-government consultation on the direction of a comprehensive farmland survey held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building.

The Democratic Party and the government have agreed to enact a special act by the end of the year to legalize illegally converted farmland.

Rep. Yoon Jun-byeong, policy coordination committee chair of the Democratic Party of Korea on the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, met with reporters today at the National Assembly following a party-government consultation on the "direction of promoting a comprehensive farmland survey" and stated, "We will push to enact a special act by the end of the year to establish legal grounds for legalizing illegally converted farmland and suspending disposition orders."

He added, "We reached a consensus to address what can be handled through a special act with the special act, and to amend the Farmland Act to supplement and remedy what can be resolved through provisions of the Farmland Act."

Regarding the amendment of the Farmland Act, he explained, "Reflecting feedback from the field, we agreed to prepare an amendment bill more tailored to reality by the first half of next year," adding, "Based on the comprehensive survey, we will drastically improve the practical difficulties and shortcomings of farmland that need remedying to resolve inconveniences in farming."

In particular, he pointed out issues with current legislation, saying, "Leaving land fallow due to advanced age is virtually considered illegal, leading to de facto disguised farming practices." He stressed the need for revision, adding, "In particular, there is a discrepancy where landowners who do not personally farm their land cannot receive public interest direct payments even if they have consigned farming, so institutional support must be provided to ease these on-the-ground inconveniences."

Regarding the criteria for "speculative activities" to be identified through the comprehensive farmland survey, he drew a line, stating, "Because the survey is currently underway, this is not the stage to determine whether something is 'speculation' or 'not.'"

He further explained, "We have in mind as speculative activities cases where farmland is acquired and used within land transaction permit zones not for agricultural purposes but for financial gain, or where agricultural corporations do not engage in actual farming but conduct activities akin to real estate business," while adding, "However, as other types of speculative activities could emerge during the investigation, we plan to examine everything thoroughly before drafting detailed criteria."

During the consultation, the party and the government reiterated the principle that clear acts of speculation uncovered through the comprehensive farmland survey will be sternly punished, but customary violations will be guided toward legalization through guidance and institutional improvements.

They also agreed to prepare follow-up measures, including the enactment of a special act and budgetary support, based on the findings of the survey.

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung stated, "Cases where the purpose of speculation is clear will be rectified strictly in accordance with law and principle," while adding, "For minor and customary violations on the ground, we will provide guidance or prepare alternative measures such as institutional improvements."

She continued, "We will thoroughly examine the circumstances and reasons (behind customary violations) to pave the way for normalization and legalization on this occasion," explaining, "Rather than resorting to immediate disposition, we will find ways to restore farmland to its proper purpose and ensure it can be utilized normally again."

Kwon Chil-seung, chief policymaker of the Democratic Party, said, "The party will fully support the government so that it can handle the survey results and pursue normalization measures while fully reflecting the realities of rural communities," adding, "We will do our utmost to enact or amend necessary laws and secure the required budget."

Yoon, the policy coordination committee chair, emphasized, "The goal of this comprehensive survey is not merely investigation, but bringing farmland usage into line with reality and bringing illegal facilities into legal compliance in an orderly manner to lay the foundation for a major transition in agricultural policy."

Pledging to push for the special act and the Farmland Act amendment, he also said, "We will secure financial resources so that people do not have to wait for farmland purchases by the Farmland Pension or Farmland Bank, and substantially increase the Farmland Pension budget to prevent difficulties in enrollment, ensuring we no longer hear complaints that 'no one buys the farmland even when we want to sell.'"

Criticism was also voiced during today's party-government consultation regarding attacks from the People Power Party over the comprehensive farmland survey.

Directing his remarks at the People Power Party, Chief Policymaker Kwon urged, "Stop causing anxiety among farmers and the public through distortions of fact regarding the farmland survey, and join discussions on people's livelihoods for the lives of farmers and the future of rural communities."

Rep. Yoon also pointed out, "The political circle, which ought to understand farmers' concerns, is fabricating baseless ghost stories, amplifying them, causing unnecessary anxiety among farmers, and only stoking confusion."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

※